Statement by the President on the Senate Vote on the American Jobs Act
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 11, 2011
Tonight, a majority of United States Senators voted to advance the
American Jobs Act. But even though this bill contains the kind of
proposals Republicans have supported in the past, their party obstructed
the Senate from moving forward on this jobs bill.
Tonight’s vote is by no means the end of this fight. Independent
economists have said that the American Jobs Act would grow the economy
and lead to nearly two million jobs, which is why the majority of the
American people support these bipartisan, common-sense proposals. And
we will now work with Senator Reid to make sure that the individual
proposals in this jobs bill get a vote as soon as possible.
In the coming days, Members of Congress will have to take a stand on
whether they believe we should put teachers, construction workers,
police officers and firefighters back on the job. They’ll get a vote on
whether they believe we should cut taxes for small business owners and
middle-class Americans, or whether we should protect tax breaks for
millionaires and billionaires.
With each vote, Members of Congress can either explain to their
constituents why they’re against common-sense, bipartisan proposals to
create jobs, or they can listen to the overwhelming majority of American
people who are crying out for action. Because with so many Americans
out of work and so many families struggling, we can’t take “no” for an
answer. Ultimately, the American people won’t take “no” for an answer.
It’s time for Congress to meet their responsibility, put their party
politics aside and take action on jobs right now.
